Mechanical doll



Apr. 17, 1923.

D. ZAIDEN MECHANICAL DOLL 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13 nv VEN TOR pamzzazfiiz MECHANICAL DOLL Filed March 15 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 llVl/E/VTOB' jm zk Zaidem Apr. 11, 1923. 1 42,1134

D. ZAHDEN MECHANICAL DOLL Filed Marh 15, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 MWM ' A TTORNEX Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

warren stars easier an l Edda iii DAVID ZAIDEN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JEEsEY.

MECHANICAL DOLL.

Application filed March 13, 1922. Serial No. 543,214.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAYID ZAIDEX, a citi- Zen of Russia, residing at East ()1'311g.,l11 the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Dolls; and I do hereby declare the following' to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of ref crence marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in. dolls; and the same has reference, more particularly, to a novel construction of mechanically operated dancing doll adapted to perform rhythmic movements in simulation of Eastern and South Sea Island dances, and dances of a similar character.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel construction of doll having an interiorly arranged motor device or actuating mechanism, an exteriorly disposed rotor member driven by said motor device or actuating mechanism, and a novel construction and arrangement of costume in combination with the doll body and said rotor member, whereby movements are imparted to said costume which produce the illusion of the body and dancing movements simulated.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

With the objects of this invention in view,

the same consists, primarily, in the novel construction of mechanical doll'adapted tosimulate dance movements as hereinafter set forth; and, furthermore, the invention consists in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then finally embodied in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a face view or front elevation of the novel mechanical doll, made according to and embodying the principles of this invention; Figure 2 is a back view of the same; Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the 'hollow interior or motor device or actuating mechanism removed from the doll body and shown on a somewhat enlarged scale: Figure 4 is a side elevation of said motor device or actuating mechanism, showing the rotor member and a portion of the skirt connected operat-ively therewith; Figure 5 is a face view or front elevation of the doll body, showing the rotor member in elevation, and indicating the skirt and other costume elements in fragmentary diagrammatic form; Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing the relation of the skirt and rotor member to each other and to the doll body; Figure 7 is an inner face view of a portion of the skirt, showing the coupling device for operatively connecting the same with the rotor member, said view being drawn on an enlarged scale; Figures 8 and 9 are detail fragmentary views of portions of the skirt and the fastening devices for connecting the same to the doll body; F in ure 10 is a diagrammatic analysis of the movements imparted to the costume, when the doll isin operation; Figure 11 is an enlarged diagrammatic analysis of the movement iniparted to the flower chain necklace element of the costume; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic analysis of the forward and back movement, imparted to the skirt member with which the doll is clothed; and Figure 13 is a diagrammatic analysis of the composite side to side and forward and back motion. imparted to the hip-band of the skirt member.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the body of a doll, which is preferably made of molded material in any suitable design, and provided in its trunk portion with a hollow interior or chamber 2. Secured within the chamber 2, is the frame 3 of a mechanical motor device, which is provided with supporting brackets 4; for securing the same in supported relation to and within the doll body.

Said. motor device comprises a springarbor 5 iournaled in the upper portion of said frame said arbor projecting exteriol'ly from the back of the doll body, and having on its outer end a suitable winding key 6. The reference character 7 indicates a spirally wound motor spring, the inner end of which is secured to said arbor 5, While the outer end 8 of which is anchored upon or fixed to a cross-bar 9 which forms a part of said frame 3. Journaled upon said arbor 5 is a driving gear 10 adapted to be rotated by said motor spring 7 by any suitable arrangement commonly employed in clock spring movements. Journaled in said frame 3 beneath said. motor spring is a spindle 11 upon which is fixed a pinion 12, which meshes with and is driven by said driving gear 10. Also fixed on said spindle 11 is an intermediate gear 13. Journaled in said frame 3 beneath said spindle 11 is another spindle let upon which is fixed a pinion 15 adapted to mesh with and be driven by said intermediate gear 13. Fixed on said spindle 14: is a toothed escapement wheel 16. Journaled in said frame beneath said spindle 141 is an arbor 17 upon which is fixed an es-- capement dog or anchor 18, the latter having an impulse pallet 19 at one end, and a looking pallet 19 at the other end, which alternately cooperate with said toothed escapement wheel 16. Connected with said arbor 17, so as to be oscillated by the escapement mechanism, is a downwardly and forwardly inclined arm 20, upon the free end of which is fixed a weight 21. Connected or coupled with the forward end of said spindle 14, so as to be rotated thereby, is a spindle extension 22, which passes through the front wall of the doll body to project exterior-1y therefrom at a point intermediate the sides of said doll body and spaced somewhat downwardly from the waist line thereof. Fixed on the exterior free end of said spindle extension 22 is a rotor member 23 which is revolved in a transverse vertical plane in front of the doll body by the operation of the mechanical motor device.

The reference character 2 indicates the waist band of a skirt member with which the doll body is clothed. The main body of the skirt member comprises a hip band 25 spaced downwardly from said waist band 24, and interconnected, with the latter by means of a plurality of closely adjoining vertical strands forming a weftless fabric section 26. Depending from the lower edge of said hip band 25 is the main. skirt portion 27, preferably comprised of a plurality of independent free depending strands of suitable material. Said waist band 24 is secured to the doll body, at its sides and rear portion, by suitable fastening means. such as the tacks 28. see Figures 2 and 9 of the drawings; and the front portion of said waist band 24 is pivotally attached to the doll body, at a central point interme diate its side portions. by means of a pivot pin 29, so as to be capable of an oscillatory movement relative to the doll body, see Figures land 9 of the drawings. Sewn or otherwise attached to the inner side of the hipband 25, at a central point intermediate its side portions, is a socket plate :30 having a receiving socket 31, the same, preferably, being similar to the socket element of the well known dress fastener or glove fastener snap. Said rotor member is provided, in connection with its outer face. with an ofiiset outwardly projecting crank arm or stud 32. In operatively connecting the skirt member with the rotor member, said socket plate 30 is pivotally engaged upon said crank arm or stud 32, so that the latter is seated or engaged in the receiving socket 231 of the former, whereby the rotary movements imparted to the rotor member are transmitted to the skirt thereof, as will be subsequently more particularly described.

If desired, a necklace element 33 is suspended from the neck portion of the doll body to fall or extend over the breast of the doll body, and, preferably, in such position that its bottom loop 3 1 engages the upper edge of the front portion of the waist band 24:.

The operation of the doll, constructed as above described, is as follows The motor spring 7 is wound up to store the energy thereof. When the winding key 6 is released, the motor spring begins to unwind, thereby causing a rotation of the driving gear 10 in an operative direction. The driving gear 10 transmits, through the intermediate train of pinions and gears 12, 13 and 15, a rotative movement to the spindle 1 1', which is governed or cont-rolled by the escapement mechanism, and whereby an even rotary motion is imparted to the rotor member 28. The rotary motion thus 1mparted to the rotor member is in turn transmitted through the revolved crank arm or stud 32 to the hip band 25 of the skirt memher which is coupled therewith. The motion thus transmitted to the hip band 25 causes the front portion of the same. to rise and fall with a swaying oscillatory movement, which produces a rhythmic lift and fall of the skirt portion 27, as indicated in the diagrammatic view shown in Figure 10, while at the same time the rise and fall of the forward portion of said hip-band causes also a slight forward and back oscillatory movement of the same which is imparted to the skirt portion 27 to produce a forward and backward motion of the latter in addition to the rise and fall of the same, as indicated in the diagrammatic view shown in Figure 12. The composite movement of the hip-band 25 providing the combined side to side and forward and back motion thereof is indicated by the diagram shown'in Figure 13. While the above described movements of the skirt portion 27 are produced from the motion imparted to said hip-band, additional movements of the parts of the skirt member located above the hip-band 25 are simultaneously produced.

to the doll body,

, movements together with an loop 34 being' Owingto the fact that the waist band 24: is fixed by its rear portion tothe doll body. while its front portion is pivotally attached only a limited oscillatory front portion of the waist band fibOl'liZ tlle pivot point is permitted, which oermits'a slight alternate lift of such portions, as movement is transmitted thereto through the vertical strands or weftless fabric section "26 intermediate the hip-band 25 and said waist band Qt. Owing to the fact that vertical strands or weft-less fabric section 26 are adapted to readily flex or yieldto the vertical lifting movement of movementof the the hip-band 25, and by reason of the fur-. ther fact that the arc of movement permitted to the waist band'oscillations is considerably less than the corres-ponding movement permitted" to the hip bandyit follows that'as the r'ont portion of the latter rises and falls with the circulatory movement imparted thereto by the rotation of the rotor member, the vertical strands or weftless fabric section 26 will be caused to bulge or how outwardly with a side to side traveling or wavedike movement, which simulates or produces the illusion ofmuscular apparent swaying motion of the hip portions of the doll body. dis a result ofthe various movements thus imparted to-the skirt member as a whole,an effect of rhythmic body movements of the doll is veryrealistically prozduced, so that exceedingly life-like simulations of dances, such as the Far Eastern and South Island dances, are obtained; The movement produced to such end not only effects a proper swaying of the lower portions of the; skirt member, but at the same time effects the appearance of hip sway and ooutortions of the lower trunk portion of the doll. which in combination closely simulate the actual movements of the dances it is sought tO'dJUliLSiQ. v a

in cases whore it is desirable to carry out the illusion of body motion above the waistline. a necklace member, such as the flower necl ilace i'l, maybe employed, the lower arranged to contact with the upper edge of the waist band 24, so that as the waistband oscillates, the movement thereof will be imparted to the necklace to produce an" oscillatory side to side swaying motion thereof in the manner indicated in Figure 11. more particularly, and also illustratedin Figures 10 and 12 In addition to the movements of. the skirt member above described. the operation of the motor mechanism produces, through the escapement mechanism thereof," a vibratory oscillation of the weight 21, which in turn )roduces a vibratory oscillation of the entire doll body, when the latter is stood upon its feet. which of lifelike movement of the doll, but which device on device on the said motor mechanism, said .tively connecting a point below said vertical not only adds to the eifect also will cause a slight shifting of the doll on its feet, particularly when the same is stood upon a smooth surface.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the arrangements and combina tions of the various devices and parts of mypresent invention, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in theforegoing specification, and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit this invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts as described in said specification nor do I confine myself to the c);- act details of the construction of said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawmgs.

I claim 1. In a doll, thecombination with the doll body of a spring motor mechanism within said body, a spindle rotated by said motor mechanism having a portion projecting exteriorly from the front of said body, a crank the exterior end of said spindle, and a costume with which said doll l30( y is clothed, a portion of said costume being directly attached to said crank device whereby motion is imparted thereto.

2. In a doll. the combination with the doll body of a springmotor mechanism within said body, a spindle rotated by said motor mechanism having a portion projecting exteriorly from the front of said body, a crank exterior end of said spindle, a skirt member depending from th'ewaist line of said doll body to extend downwardly over said crank device, and said skirt member being operatively attached to said crank device.

3. In a doll, the combination with the doll body of a spring; motor mechanism. a rotor member having a crank arm actuated by rotor member being exteriorly disposed at the front of said doll body below. the waist line thereof to to tate in a plane parallel to the frontof said doll body, a skirt member having a waist band encircling the waist of said doll'body, a main skirt portion; a plurality of vertical strands interconnect ng said main skirt portion with said waist band, and means operasaid main skirt portion with the crank arm of said rotor member at strands.

4-. Ina doll. the combination with the doll body of a spring motor mechanism, a rotor member actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member having a crank arm, said rotor member being exteriorly disposed at the front of said doll body below the waist line thereof to rotate in a plane parallel to the front of the doll body. a skirt member having a waist band encircling the waist of said doll body, a main skirt portion having loo portion of said waist said doll body, means front of said doll body,

said doll body is a hip band, a weftlessfabric section interconnecting said hip band with said waist band, and means operatively connecting sai hip band with the crank of said rotor member. A

5. In a doll, thecombination with. the doll body of a spring motor mechanism, a rotor member having a crank arm actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member being exteriorly disposed at the front of said doll body below the waist line thereof to rotate in a plane parallel to the front of said doll body, a skirt member having a waist band encircling the waist of said doll body, means for securing the rear portion of said waist band to the back of said doll-body, means for centrally pivoting the front portion of said waist band to the front of said doll body, a main skirt portion, a weftless fabric section comprising vertical strands interconnecting said main skirt portion with said waist band, and means oneratively connectinc; said main skirt portion with the crank b d arm of said rotor member.

6. In a doll, the combination with the doll body Of a. spring motor mechanism, a rotor member actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member having a crank arm, said rotor member being exteriorly disposed at the front of said doll body below the waist linethereof to rotate in aplane parallel to the front of said doll body. a skirt member having a waist bandencircling the waist of said doll body, means for securing the rear for centrally pivoting said waist band to the a main skirt portion, a weftless fabric section comprising vertical strands interconnecting said main skirt portion with said waist band, means operatively connecting said main skirt portion with thecrank arm of said rotor member, and a necklace member suspended from the neck of said dollbody, having a free depending loop engaging the upper edge of said waist band whereby movement of the latter is transmitted to said loop. p

7. In a doll, the combination witha hollow doll body of a spring motor mechanism fixed within the same, said spring motor mechanism having an escapement mechanism, a weighted arm adapted to be oscillated by said escapement mechanism whereby said doll body is vibrated when erect upon its feet portions, a rotor member actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor memher being exteriorly disposed relative to said doll body, and a costume with which clothed, said costume being operatively attached to said rotor member the front portion of parallel, to the band to the back of e a a whereby oscillatory movements are imparted to said costume. 1

8. In a doll, the c mbination with a hollow doll body of a spring motor mechanism fixed within thesame, said spring motor mechanism having an escapement mechanism, a weighted arm adapted to be oscillated by said esoapement mechanism whereby said doll body is vibrated when erect upon its feet portions, a rotor member actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member being disposed at the front of said doll body below the waist line thereof for rotation in a plane parallel to the front of said doll body, a skirt member having a waist band encircling the waist line of said doll body, and means for operatively attaching said skirt member to said rotor member, said skirt member having a flexible section comprising a plurality of vertical strands intermediate its points of attachment ;tosaid rotor member and to the waist of said'doll 9. In a doll, the combination with a hollow doll body of a spring motor mechanism fixed within the same, a rotor member having a crank arm actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member being disposed .at the front of said doll body below the waist line thereof for rotation in a plane front of said doll body, a skirt member suspended from the waist of said doll body, and means for attaching a portion of said skirt member to the crank arm of said rotor member latory movements are imparted tosaid skirt member.

10. In a doll, the combination with a hollow doll body of aspring motor mechanism fixed within the Same,'a rotor member having a crank arm actuated by said motor mechanism, said rotor member being disposed at the front of said doll body below the waistline thereof for rotation in a plane parallel to the front of said doll body, a skirt member suspended from the waist of said doll. body, and means for attaching a portion of said-skirt member to the crank arm of said rotor member, said skirt member' having a flexible section below its waist line consisting of a plurality of independently movable strands adapted to be bulged outwardly when movement is imparted to said skirt member by said rotor member.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of March, 1922.

, DAVID ZAIDEN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE D. RIoHARDs', EVA E. DESCH.

whereby oscil- 

